Matrix-drying cabinet and method of treating matrices



R. W. BANDY MATRIX DRYING CABINET AND METHOD OF TREATING MATRICES Filed May 24, 1927 F V k l INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 19 27.

.UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT wATsoN BANDY, or SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

MATRIX-DRYING CABINET AND METHOD OF TREATING MATRICES.

Application filed May 24,

, Heretofore in the art of stereotyping, dry matrices have been employed which have been-subjected to several heat treatments of varying intensity. These dry matrices thus treated are objectionable int-hat they are comparatively hard and tough and therefore requlre a maximum pressure on the molding machine to obtain the proper impression for first-classprinting, Also this maximum pressure of the molding machine tends to break down the type and other material required in the process of forming the matrix. Furthermore, a dry matrix will not shrink to'the requisite degree, .and therefore will buckle.

With theseobjections in m1nd,-1t 1s the I principal objectpf the present invention to provide a method of treating matrices wherein a' uniform shrinkage is obtained, buckling obviated, and an efliclent matrix expeditiously produced.

A further object of this nvention 13 to provide a drying cabinet WhlCh Wlll perm t a desired number of matrices to be dried s1- multaneously and which when not belng operatedmay be utilized to store the matrices until it is desired to use the same.

The invention further contemplates a dry ing-cabinet of. this character whereln heat will be directed to the center of the matr ces to cause the latter to first dry and shrink at i this point, thus effecting a uniform shrinking 'of the matrices without buckling, or otherwise damaging the latter Onthe accompanying draw ng,

Figure 1 is a view partly in front elevation', with parts broken away, and

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view I taken along theline 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring to the invention in detail, a' supporting frame. 5 is provided comprising I pans of le s 6 in the formof angle irons,

the latter ing connected and braced at their upper ends by angle bars 7, whose ends .are fastened to the le s by rivets or other suitable fasteners 8. imilar angle bars 9 connect the legs 6 adjacent their'lower ends to lend rigidity to the frame.

A matrix drying compartment or hood 10 is rovided at the upper end of the frame, and consists of a length of sheet metal 11 extending entirely across the upper end of the frame and having its end portions and one side portion bent downwardly around the frame to rovide a rear wall 12 and side walls 13. hese walls 12 and 13 extend 1927. Serial No. 193,857

downwardly an appreciable distance, dependent upon the size of the drying cabinet desired,'and are riveted or otherwise secured to the legs '6, as at 14. To present a neat finish to the front of the drying compartmentor cabinet, the forward longitudinal edge of the length of sheet metal is formed with a depending -flange 15.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the front of the drying compartment is open, and extending across this open front is a plurality of spaced parallel bars 16 having their ends secured to the front le 6, as at 17. Rows of horizontalaligne matrix supporting rods 17 extend transversely of the drying compartment with their rear ends supported in openings 19 in the rear wall 14 and riveted thereto, as at 20, and their opposite ends passed through openings 21 in the bars 16 and riveted thereto, as at 22.

'A heating chamber23 of inverted pyramidal configuration is arranged within the frame 5 and below the supporting rods 17. At its upper end the heating chamber is of suflicient area to extend entirely across the frame 5 to close the bottom of the drying compartment. To support the heating chamber within the frame cross bars 25 are attached to the front and rearlegs at opposite sides of the frame at a point adjacent the lower edges of the walls 12 and 13. An attaching flange 26 is formed with the upper edge of the heating chamber andis secured to these bars 25 by uneans of suitable fastenors 27.

The heating chamber is heated by means of a burner 26 which passes centrally through the lower end of the heating chamber and is supported centrally within the latter. By arranging the burner centrally within the heating chamber its heat will be concentrated at the central zone of the -matrices supported on the rods 17 so that practice, the usual dry matrix is first wet to produce a soft, damp article, which is subsequently placed in the drying chamber and subjected to the heating operation for approximately one minute. Due to the burner being arranged to concentrate its heat at the center of the matrix, the latter is first heated and dried at its central zone and gradually dried toward its edges. The heating of the matrices first at this central zone produces a uniform shrinkage of the matrices, leaving the same in a flat or straight condition, ready for use. The matrices thus heated are then packed and placed in a relatively hot circular scorcher for approximately a minute .and a half. After this scorching operation, the matrices are then ready for the casting box.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of treating stereotype matrices, consisting of first subjecting the dry matrix to a liquid bath to soften and dampen the latter, and subsequently subjecting the matrix to heat which is concentrated at the central zone of the matrix, whereby to cause the matrix to first shrink at its central zone.

2. The method of treating matrices to prevent buckling of the latter, which consists in dampening a dry matrix, subjecting the matrix to heat which is concentrated at the central zone of the matrix, whereby to heat and shrink the matrix from its central zone to its edges.

3. The method of treating matrices to pre yent buckling of the latter, which consists in dampening a dry matrix, subjecting the matrix to heat which is concentrated at the central zone of the matrix,'whereby to heat and shrink the matrix from its central zone to its edges, then packing the matrix, and finally subjecting it to a second heat treatment.

4. In a drying cabinet, a frame, a drying chamber supported thereon, an inverted pyramidical-shaped heating chamber supported within the frame and having its largest end extending over the entire area of the drying chamber and having its smaller end open, and a burner supported in the heating chamber and passing through the open end.

5. In a dryer, pairs of parallel legs, a sheet metal hood embracing the legs and attached thereto and having one side thereof entirely open, avplurality of parallel horizontally disposed bars extending across the open front and attached to the adjacent supporting legs, rows of horizontally aligned rods supported by the rear wall of the hood and bars, and an inverted pyramidicalshaped heating chamber supported by the legs with its largest end extending over the entire area of the hood and having its smaller end open, to receive a vertically disposed burner whereby-the heating chamber is heated.

' ROBERT WATSON BANDY. 

